Support Services

In addition to our many programs, Ontario ARC works to ensure individuals and their families receive personal support and guidance throughout important life transitions. Additional supports range from programs specifically dedicated to individuals with autism, seniors, guardianship, crisis intervention assistance, and so much more.

The Autism Center at Ontario ARC is a comprehensive resource for children and adults with an autism spectrum disorder. From initial assessment and diagnosis, to treatment recommendations and planning, the experienced staff at TAC will be there to help guide you and your family through the possibilities.

The Autism Center offers a wide-range of services including autism assessment and diagnosis, behavior support, nutrition, play therapy, psychology, psychiatry, social skills groups, social work, speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. Some services are offered in partnership with the Arc of Seneca Cayuga in the convenience of our main facility in Canandaigua.

The Center also offers an extensive listing of online resources for autism spectrum disorder.

The Resource Library for families to research resources on ASDs with relaxed lighting, a computer with Internet access, and a television with DVD player. Books are available to borrow for two weeks and DVDs are available for a one-week period.

Collection: Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child with a Disability by Robert A. Naseef, Ph.D., The Game of My Life: A True Story of Challenge, Triumph and Growing Up Autisticby Jason “J-Mac” McElwain, Temple Grandin – the HBO biopic featuring Claire Danes as renowned Dr. Temple Grandin and her challenges growing up with autism, House Rules by Jodi Picoult, a fictional account of a teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome and his experience with the legal system.

SibShop is an opportunity for siblings of children/or adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to interact with other siblings that have a family member with a disability.

Summer Camp is offered to children ages 8–16 and ages 16–21 with intellectual and development disabilities, including autism, at Camp Bristol Hills, Victor Park and Recreation, and the Town and City of Canandaigua.

Recreation for people with autism spectrum disorders gives them access to a variety of fun activities from sporting events, movie nights, and dances, to trips to museums, parks, and playgrounds. They’ll get the opportunity to practice and learn social skills and give families a chance for respite

The Resource Library is located within the Autism Center at Ontario ARC’s Main Facility. The library is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. It features relaxed lighting, a computer with Internet access and television with DVD player. Books and DVDs are available to borrow.

A highly structured after-school program in a safe and nurturing environment. We meet each child’s unique and dynamic needs and academic goals through a healthy balance of engaging recreational and educational activities. Our innovative Tales for Tails reading program pairs a child with a gentle furry friend to read and has proven to increase reading comprehension, literacy and self-esteem. Active Academy is led by a Special Education Teacher and staff with specialty training in working with children who are on the autism spectrum.

Services include:

Serves children ages 8-14 who have an intellectual or other developmental disability, including autism

Follows each school district’s calendar and runs from the end of the school day until 6 pm, Monday through Friday

Located in Victor and Canandaigua schools

Supports social, sensory, reading, and academic skills

Promotes independence and success in and out of the classroom

Offers clinical support

Activities include homework assistance with a special education teacher, outdoor recreation, Ontario ARC Tales for Tails unique reading program, access to iPads, computers, and other electronics

The Autism Center at Ontario ARC is a comprehensive resource for children and adults with an autism spectrum disorder. From initial assessment and diagnosis, to treatment recommendations and planning, the experienced staff at TAC will be there to help guide you and your family through the possibilities.

The Autism Center offers a wide-range of services including autism assessment and diagnosis, behavior support, nutrition, play therapy, psychology, psychiatry, social skills groups, social work, speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. Some services are offered in partnership with the Arc of Seneca Cayuga in the convenience of our main facility in Canandaigua.

The Center also offers an extensive listing of online resources for autism spectrum disorder.

The Resource Library for families to research resources on ASDs with relaxed lighting, a computer with Internet access, and a television with DVD player. Books are available to borrow for two weeks and DVDs are available for a one-week period.

Collection: Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child with a Disability by Robert A. Naseef, Ph.D., The Game of My Life: A True Story of Challenge, Triumph and Growing Up Autisticby Jason “J-Mac” McElwain, Temple Grandin – the HBO biopic featuring Claire Danes as renowned Dr. Temple Grandin and her challenges growing up with autism, House Rules by Jodi Picoult, a fictional account of a teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome and his experience with the legal system.

SibShop is an opportunity for siblings of children/or adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to interact with other siblings that have a family member with a disability.

Summer Camp is offered to children ages 8–16 and ages 16–21 with intellectual and development disabilities, including autism, at Camp Bristol Hills, Victor Park and Recreation, and the Town and City of Canandaigua.

Recreation for people with autism spectrum disorders gives them access to a variety of fun activities from sporting events, movie nights, and dances, to trips to museums, parks, and playgrounds. They’ll get the opportunity to practice and learn social skills and give families a chance for respite

The Resource Library is located within the Autism Center at Ontario ARC’s Main Facility. The library is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. It features relaxed lighting, a computer with Internet access and television with DVD player. Books and DVDs are available to borrow.

A broker assists an individual with an intellectual or other developmental disability or the individual’s representative to develop and maintain an approved self-direction plan. Self-direction allows an individual to take charge of their own life by choosing the services that best meets an individuals needs

Children participate in a variety of activities run by our highly trained recreation staff. Programs focus on fun and balanced exploration, building friendships, and social and motor skills.

Activities vary each recreation calendar cycle and are dependent on the availability of options in the community during those times, but can include swimming, crafts, games, lunch, sporting events, and other age-appropriate activities.

A customizable and family-directed curriculum designed to help teens and adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities enhance their skills and maintain an independent lifestyle. Ontario ARC’s dedicated, experienced staff offer guidance and instruction in meal preparation, shopping, personal finance, and health care.

A crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to address immediate, difficult situations. Our trained staff can direct you to the best resources available and develop an appropriate action plan.

A service that assists families with applications for financial reimbursement toward the costs of goods and services used for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, including respite.

Ontario ARC offers guidance throughout the legal process that designates an individual or family member to act on behalf of a person with an intellectual or other developmental disability who is unable to manage their personal affairs without assistance.

Additionally, Ontario ARC offers assistance at the time when a person reaches 18 years of age in New York State and is assumed to be legally competent to manage their own affairs, regardless of disability, unless deemed otherwise.

When there is no family or friends to serve as a guardian, Ontario ARC may be named to act as Corporate Guardian with assistance from The Arc New York.

Pet Connections is a unique program that connects animals and people with disabilities. Created in 2012, Pet Connections offers a wide array of services based on three main outlets: animal-assisted activities, animal-assisted therapy, and animal-assisted education. Innovative and groundbreaking, Pet Connections creates new opportunities in employment, creative expression, social and self-esteem building, and physical development.

We’ve partnered with local organizations to enhance the recreational, social and career opportunities for the people we support. Pet Connections is proud to have formed partnerships with the Active Academy After School Tales for Tails, the Ontario County Health Facility, the Canandaigua VA Medical Center, Finger Lakes Pet Resort, and a number of local businesses. Participants in Pet Connections visit these organizations with registered therapy dogs to share the benefits of working with animals with the community.

Ontario ARC’s Service Coordinators are experienced professionals who work with people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities to find the services that best meet their particular needs. More specifically, they help in accessing programs, services, and funding supports like Social Security and other government benefits, and they navigate individuals and their families through the, complicated processes and paperwork.

Additional supports:

Advocating on behalf of families for supports though schools and other entities

Assist in transitioning from school-based services to adult services

Connection to new opportunities such as residential options, vocational and day services, and various community-based activities

Specialized Service Coordination team specifically for Autism is also available

An Ontario ARC employee works with families as their child’s needs and interests begin to evolve when they reach their teenage years. This includes working with families and school personnel to determine if the child is eligible for additional supports after school, assistance at school meetings, and arranging tours of agency services for the child.

Finger Lakes Bus Service (FLBS), a division of Ontario ARC, is available for people who are supported by the agency. The service provides free daily transportation to other human services agencies including Brighter Day and Developmental Disabilities Regional Office (DDRO) Day program.

The service has eight morning and afternoon weekday routes that are open to the general public with no bus fare. Riders can contact Finger Lakes Bus Service or the Regional Transit Service for information regarding those routes.

Medicaid Transportation

We also provide transportation for medical appointments with Medicaid providers, including out-of-county medical appointments. Requests are to be made through the Medical Answering Service (MAS) 1-800-850-5340.

A few of our Pet Connections therapy dog teams spent Valentine's Day at the University of Rochester helping students, staff, and faculty de-stress! ...

Nearly 150 students, faculty, and staff stopped by to visit with our 5 therapy dog teams yesterday at the University of Rochester de-stress event! 🐕
One faculty member was running from giving one midterm before heading to another when she paused to pet Albert and stated, “ah, instant stress relief right there!”
Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello and learn more about Pet Connections! By the end of the day, all the dogs were ready for much-deserved naps!